China International Ballet Season concludes

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The Third China International Ballet season has just dropped its curtain in Beijing. The two-month event saw over 31 shows from several world famous ballet companies both from home and abroad.

The National Ballet of China closed the season with an aptly-named performance titled "The Spring Festival" at Tianqiao Theater.

With the Chinese New Year just around the corner, the ballet started off with a scene of temple fair during the holiday.

The show has been dubbed the Chinese version of "The Nutcracker." It tells a similar story where the nutcracker come to life, with plenty of Chinese characteristics added.

/Tianqiao Theater Photo

"There are many Chinese elements in the show. At the end of the ballet season, we choose a nationalized ballet for the audience. It symbolizes our expectations for China ballet's future," said Liu Jingwei, General Manager of Tianqiao Theater.

The Third China International Ballet season began last November, with 31 shows of 14 plays. Among them, 26 shows turned out as full house.

In total, some 60,000 people attended the shows.

/Tianqiao Theater Photo

Several world famous ballet companies at the festival covered a wide range of styles - classical ballet, such as the Swan Lake, Romeo and Juliet; and also more contemporary presentations like the Infants of Paradise and The Brothers Karamazov.

This ballet season also aimed to showcase the works rooted in Chinese traditional culture to audiences home and abroad.

China's top 10 ballet troupes also joined hands for a first time to present a fantastic show.

"Developing ballet with Chinese characteristics is our goal. We convened China's top 10 ballet troupes and let them perform their original plays. It is important in promoting Chinese original ballets," said Wang Quanxing, deputy director of National Ballet of China.

/Tianqiao Theater Photo

The first ballet company directors' forum was also held, with troupe leaders discussing how to develop art with Chinese characteristics and how to better promote Chinese plays.

Apart from dance performances, the festival also featured other activities to help people gain an understanding of ballet.

Among them is one where ballet stars introduce the origins of the dance, and share more about this art form.

Another workshop featured the effort behind the scenes - people could go backstage to take a look at how the elaborate costumes and shoes are made.